Influence of laser peening on microstructure and fatigue lives of Ti-6Al-4V

The influence of low energy laser peening on fatigue lives of Ti-6Al-4V was investigated. Laser peening was carried out on Ti-6Al-4V samples. Laser peened samples were characterized by residual stress analysis, surface roughness measurements, X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, nanoindentation hardness tests, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and fatigue testing. Laser peening resulted in the formation of nanocrystallites on the surface and near surface regions with associated increase in hardness and introduction of compressive residual stress. Owing to positive influence of nanostructured surface and compressive residual stress, fatigue lives of the laser peened samples were significantly increased compared to the unpeened samples.

Tandem rapid manufacturing of Inconel-625 using laser assisted and plasma transferred arc depositions

This paper presents an investigation on depo- sition of Inconel-625 using laser rapid manufacturing （LRM） and plasma transferred arc （PTA） deposition in individual and tandem mode. LRM has advantages in terms of dimensional accuracy, improved mechanical properties, finer process control, reduced heat input and lower thermal distortion, while PTA scores more in terms of lower initial investment, lower running cost and higher deposition rate. To quantify the clubbed advantages and limitations of both processes, these were studied individually and in tandem. A number of samples were deposited at different process parameters like power, scan speed, powder feed rate. They were subjected to tensile test, adhesion-cohesion test, impact test and micro hardness measurement. The results of individual tests showed the comparable mechanical prop- erties with i20% variation. The mixed dendritic-cellular and dendritic-columnar microstructures were respectively observed for LRM and PTA deposits with a distinct inter- face for the case of tandem deposition. The interface strength of tandem deposits was evaluated employing adhesion-cohesion test, and it was found to be （325 i 35） MPa. The study confirmed the viability of LRM and PTA deposition in tandem for hybrid manufacturing.

Microwave gel combustion synthesis and sinterability of Nd:GGG nanopowders

Neodymium doped gadolinium gallium oxide （Nd：GGG） nanopowders synthesized by microwave gel combustion using alanine as a fuel was reported. Metal nitrates solution with alanine fuel was combusted in microwave to give precursor. The micro-wave precursor powder was calcined at different temperatures from 800 to 1100 ℃. Phase pure Nd：GGG formation took place at 800 to 1100 ℃ as observed by X-ray diffraction （XRD） and Fourier transform infra-red （FTIR） spectroscopy. However particle size in-creased with calcinations temperature from 25 nm at 800 ℃ to 200 nm at 1100 ℃.Nd：GGG nanopowder obtained at different calci-nation temperatures were compacted and sintered at 1550 ℃ for 3 h in air. Most densified ceramic was obtained from Nd：GGG nanopowder calcined at 1100 ℃. Microstructure as observed from scanning electron microscopy （SEM） showed that the most densi-fied ceramic, obtained from nanopowder calcined at a higher calcination temperature, had a more uniform grain-size distribution, fewer pores and greater densification. XRD of sintered sample showed retention of phase purity.

Single step low temperature synthesis of gadolinium gallium garnet nanopowders

Solution combustion synthesis of single-phase gadolinium gallium oxide （Gd3GasO12, GGG） nanopowders, by a fuel mixture approach using urea and glycine at a low temperature of 500 ℃, was being reported for the first time. Based on the fact that urea and glycine are good fuels for gallium oxide and gadolinium oxide synthesis, the fuel mixture composition was obtained, which could lead to direct phase pure cubic Gd3Ga5O12 formation without any subsequent calcination step. Combustion was carried out in furnace pre-heated at 500 ℃. Thermogravimetric analysis （TGA） of combustion product showed negligible mass loss indicating direct formation of GGG powder. Fourier transform infrared （FTIR） spectrum of combusted product showed peak characteristic of GGG in case of mixed fuel. X-ray diffraction （XRD） confirmed formation of phase pure GGG at 500 ℃ in preheated furnace. Very fine, well dispersed nanometric particles of size range of 50-100 nm were obtained, being uniform and close to spherical morphology as observed by transmission electron microscope （TEM）.